TEHRAN/WASHINGTON — The diplomatic friction between the U.S. and Iran reached a surreal peak on Wednesday as Lt. Col. Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam Al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, released a blistering video mocking President Donald Trump’s claims of ongoing peace negotiations.
In the prerecorded message aired on Iranian state television, Zolfaghari questioned the validity of Trump’s “productive conversations,” suggesting the American leader was essentially “negotiating with himself.”
“Hey Trump — You Are Fired”
Zolfaghari, who went viral earlier this week for using Trump’s own famous catchphrase against him, doubled down on his rhetoric following a reported 15-point ceasefire plan sent by the U.S. through Pakistani mediators.
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The Taunt: “Have your internal conflicts reached the point where you are negotiating with yourselves?” Zolfaghari asked, dismissing Trump’s recent announcement of a five-day pause in hostilities.
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The Refusal: Reaffirming Tehran’s hardline stance, he stated, “Someone like us will never come to terms with someone like you. Not now, not ever.”
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Strategic Failure: The Lieutenant Colonel characterized the U.S. position not as a diplomatic overture, but as a “strategic failure” being dressed up as an agreement.
Conflicting Narratives
The war of words highlights a massive gap between Washington’s “peace optimism” and Tehran’s “war defiance.”
| The Trump Administration View | The Iranian Military View |
| Claims a “significant gift” was received from Tehran. | Denies any such “gift” or official communication. |
| Suggests “top people” are at the negotiating table. | Asks if Trump is talking to his own internal staff. |
| Announced a 5-day pause in energy plant strikes. | Warns that regional bases hosting U.S. troops remain “legitimate targets.” |
| Eyes a “Hormuz breakthrough” for oil/gas flow. | Claims the “era of empty promises” is over. |
Escalation Warnings
Despite the talk of a truce, Zolfaghari’s earlier statements remain a cause for concern for regional stability. He warned that if hostilities resume:
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Israeli Infrastructure: All power plants and ICT infrastructure of the “Zionist regime” would be “extensively targeted.”
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Regional Bases: Countries hosting American military bases were explicitly told their own power plants would become targets.
The Pakistan Factor
The trolling comes even as Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif continues efforts to mediate. While Trump’s team—including Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff—reportedly explored a Pakistani channel for talks, Zolfaghari’s public dismissal suggests that if negotiations are happening, they have not yet reached the military leadership in Tehran.
